US10861277B2 - Product dispenser with an s-shaped down chute - Google Patents
Product dispenser with an s-shaped down chute Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US10861277B2 US10861277B2 US14/472,340 US201414472340A US10861277B2 US 10861277 B2 US10861277 B2 US 10861277B2 US 201414472340 A US201414472340 A US 201414472340A US 10861277 B2 US10861277 B2 US 10861277B2
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- dispenser
- cartridge
- arcuate section
- cans
- exit port
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
- G07F11/28—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are inclined
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F1/00—Racks for dispensing merchandise; Containers for dispensing merchandise
- A47F1/04—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F1/00—Racks for dispensing merchandise; Containers for dispensing merchandise
- A47F1/04—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs
- A47F1/08—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from bottom
- A47F1/087—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from bottom the container having approximately horizontal tracks of the serpentine type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/72—Contents-dispensing means
- B65D5/725—Incised or pre-scored openings or windows provided in the side wall of containers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
- B65D71/12—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank
- B65D71/36—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers, with end walls
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/004—Restocking arrangements therefor
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
- G07F11/34—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are of zig-zag form
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00129—Wrapper locking means
- B65D2571/00135—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/00141—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper glued
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00555—Wrapper opening devices
- B65D2571/00561—Lines of weakness
- B65D2571/00574—Lines of weakness whereby contents can still be carried after the line has been torn
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00648—Elements used to form the wrapper
- B65D2571/00654—Blanks
- B65D2571/0066—Blanks formed from one single sheet
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00709—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element
- B65D2571/00722—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface
- B65D2571/00728—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface the end walls being closed by gluing
Definitions
- the invention pertains to the field of product dispensers. More particularly, the invention pertains to a serpentine product dispensing unit that is filled from a bulk rolling product cartridge, container, or hopper.
- a dispenser with a cartridge containing multiple rolling product packages accommodates a variety of different bulk packed product shipping cartons [henceforth referred to as “cartridge(s)”] with a variety of can counts or arrangements packed therein.
- carrier(s) bulk packed product shipping cartons
- FIGS. 1 and 2 it is often desirable to stack cans two or more wide in the cartridge 10 in its shipping orientation (with the cans vertical therein), or two or more rows high in the “at use” position (when the cartridge 10 is inside the dispenser 20 as shown in prior art FIGS. 4-18 ).
- dispensers 20 that have hoppers for cans that are manually filled rather than utilizing a pre-fill cartridge 10 function similarly, as the hopper substantially orients cans in the same way a pre-filled cartridge 10 does when the cartridge 10 is inserted into a dispenser.
- Such bulk shipping cartridges 10 and associated dispensers 20 are more flexible for retailers or brand marketers and assist with the efficient management of supply chains and sales.
- FIG. 4 shows a cartridge 10 being loaded into a prior art dispenser 20 cartridge holding area 24 after an opening has been made in the bottom of the rear end of the cartridge 10 to allow cans to exit the cartridge 10 and enter the dispenser 20 through an exit port 45 .
- the first four cans 1, 2, 3, 4, includes, but is not limited to, a conventional metal can or cans, a stack of nested cans, stacks of nested cans, and any other packaging form that is capable of rolling
- that exit the cartridge 10 during feeding are critical to the proper operation of the cartridge 10 and dispenser 20 system. It has been found that, after these first four cans 1, 2, 3, 4, exit the cartridge 10 the balance of cans in the cartridge 10 have sufficient room to move inside the cartridge 10 so that no jamming occurs thereafter. The exiting of these first four cans 1, 2, 3, 4 no matter the size or weight of the cans, therefore determines the efficient and reliable feeding of all the cans from the cartridge 10 into and through the dispenser 20 to a product selection location 25 where they can be selected by the consumer.
- can 1 is free to exit the cartridge 10 , drop vertically downward through the exit port 34 , roll along the down chute 30 , and then roll along the lower feed ramp 40 to the product selection area 25 .
- can 2 is generally free to also follow can 1, falling vertically downward from the cartridge 10 , through the exit port 45 , into the dispenser 20 , and roll to the product selection area 25 .
- FIG. 12 shows a full cartridge 10 being inserted into the cartridge holding area 24 of a dispenser 20 that remains partially filled with previously loaded cans.
- can 1 is free to move through the exit port 45 , and roll along the down chute 30 , but only until it contacts the rearmost previously loaded can in the lower channel.
- can 2 drops immediately down behind can 1, and can 4 is biased to roll over can 3. This restocking situation thus shortens the distance cans 1 and 2 move in the dispenser, which significantly reduces the previously described impacts and vibrations.
- a serpentine product dispenser is constructed to create a cartridge holding area into which a cartridge holding multiple rows of cans is inserted to load the dispenser.
- An exit port below the cartridge holding area at the back of the dispenser allows cans to move from the cartridge into the dispenser.
- a loading ramp at the bottom of the cartridge holding area is oriented at an angle of approximately seven degrees or less, sloping from the dispenser front to the exit port, and biases cans in the cartridge to roll toward the back of the dispenser and into the exit port.
- a substantially “S”-shaped down chute formed from three arcuate sections is located below the exit port and directs cans through the exit port in a controlled fashion to a lower feed ramp and a product selection area where the cans may be selected by a consumer.
- Jam-free feeding of cans from the cartridge through the exit port down chute is accomplished by forming the down chute in three arcuate sections.
- An upper arcuate section causes a first can moving through the exit port to maintain contact with a second can still in the cartridge, delaying the motion of the second can, such that a third can moves into a space previously occupied by the first can.
- a central arcuate section causes the first can to maintain rolling contact with a second can in the cartridge, further facilitating the movement of a third can into a position previously occupied by the first can as the first can continues to move into the dispenser.
- a lower arcuate section directs the first can toward the dispenser lower feed ramp and product selection area after it has traversed the down chute upper and central arcuate sections.
- FIG. 1 shows an end view of a prior art double row product cartridge.
- FIG. 2 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge.
- FIG. 3 shows a side view of a prior art stacked double row product cartridge.
- FIG. 4 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge partially inserted in a prior art product dispenser.
- FIG. 5 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in a prior art dispenser with a down chute prior to dispensing cans from the cartridge.
- FIG. 6 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge at the start of a typical dispensing sequence, with the first cans in each row of product moving toward the prior art dispenser down chute.
- FIG. 7 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge after the first cans in each row of product have entered the prior art dispenser down chute, and the second can of the second row has started to move toward the down chute.
- FIG. 8 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in which the second can of the second row of product contained in the cartridge has caused a feed jam inside the cartridge.
- FIG. 9 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in which the feed jam inside the cartridge has been cleared and the second can in the second row of product in the cartridge has moved into the prior art dispenser down chute.
- FIG. 10 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in which the feed jam inside the cartridge has been cleared and the second can and third can in the first row of product in the cartridge are free to feed normally into the prior art dispenser down chute.
- FIG. 11 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in which the lower feed ramp of the prior art dispenser has been filled with cans, and the cans remaining in the cartridge are free to feed normally.
- FIG. 12 shows a side view of a full prior art double row product cartridge partially inserted into a prior art dispenser that is partially full.
- FIG. 13 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in a prior art dispenser with a down chute and a lower feed ramp partially full of cans prior to dispensing cans from the cartridge.
- FIG. 14 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge and partially full prior art dispenser, while the first cans in the first and second rows of product in the cartridge move toward the down chute.
- FIG. 15 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge and partially full dispenser and the motion of cans in the cartridge when a can is removed from the product selection area of the prior art dispenser.
- FIG. 16 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in which the second can of the second row of product contained in the cartridge has caused a feed jam inside the cartridge.
- FIG. 17 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in which the second can of the second row of product contained in the cartridge causes a feed jam inside the cartridge even as product is dispensed from a product selection area.
- FIG. 18 shows a side view of a prior art double row product cartridge in which product contained in the cartridge causes a feed jam inside the dispenser when the size of the exit port is increased.
- FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of a prior art down chute and loading ramp.
- FIG. 20A shows a side view of a substantially “S” shaped down chute and loading ramp with down chute geometry.
- FIG. 20B shows a side view of a substantially “S” shaped down chute and loading ramp with down chute geometry accounting for cartridge material thickness.
- FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of a substantially “S” shaped down chute and lower feed ramp.
- FIG. 22 shows a side view of a substantially “S” shaped down chute and a lower feed ramp.
- FIG. 23 shows a side view of a product dispenser having a substantially “S” shaped down chute and a lower feed ramp with a product cartridge inserted in a restocking situation.
- FIG. 24 shows a side view of a product dispenser having a substantially “S” shaped down chute as the first cans in each row of product in the cartridge move into the down chute.
- FIG. 25 shows a side view of a product dispenser having a substantially “S” shaped down chute as the first can from the first row of product in the cartridge moves through the down chute.
- FIG. 26 shows a side view of a product dispenser having a substantially “S” shaped down chute and the position of cans from the first and second row of product in the cartridge moving through the down chute after a can is removed from the dispensing area.
- FIG. 27 shows a side view of a product dispenser having a substantially “S” shaped down chute as the first can from the second row of product in the cartridge moves through the down chute.
- FIG. 28 shows a side view of a product dispenser having a substantially “S” shaped down chute and the position of the second can from the second row of product in the cartridge after a can is removed from the dispensing area.
- FIG. 29 shows a side view of a product dispenser having a substantially “S” shaped down chute as the second can from the second row of product in the cartridge moves through the down chute.
- FIG. 30 shows a side view of a product dispenser having a substantially “S” shaped down chute and the position of the second cans from the first and second row of product in the cartridge after a can is removed from the dispensing area.
- FIG. 31 shows a perspective and partial cut away of one embodiment of a substantially “S” shaped down chute and a lower feed ramp within a product dispenser holding a product cartridge.
- FIG. 32 shows a dispenser with a down chute having upper and lower arcuate sections when a full cartridge is inserted.
- FIG. 33 shows the motion of can one through the exit port of a dispenser with a down chute having upper and lower arcuate sections.
- FIG. 34 shows the motion of can two through the exit port of a dispenser with a down chute having upper and lower arcuate sections.
- FIG. 35 shows the motion of can four through the exit port of a dispenser with a down chute having upper and lower arcuate sections.
- FIG. 36 shows the motion of can three through the exit port of a dispenser with a down chute having upper and lower arcuate sections.
- the general operational goal of the dispenser described herein is to facilitate the dispenser's natural affinity to have the cans exit in the 1, 2, 4, 3 order, and reliably prevent jamming.
- it has proven beneficial to impede the rearward movement of can 3, until after can 4 rolls over it and is able to pass by it downwardly into and through the exit port 45 .
- a number of designs have been explored to accomplish this goal, and jam-free feeding embodiments are included herein that are useful for different diameters and weights of canned products.
- a preferable cartridge loading ramp 35 angle of approximately four degrees, up to as much as six degrees, is sufficiently steep to enable cans of some sizes and weights to roll within the cartridge 10 , yet maintain the resting inertia of the lower row (Row 1) of cans sufficiently to allow can 4 to roll over the top of can 3 and downwardly toward the exit port 45 .
- this specification alone is unreliable for two reasons. First, relying on resting inertia alone causes this solution to be entirely dependent on the size and mass of the rolling products (cans). Large, heavy cans tend to work best with this modification because they possess the right combination of resting inertia and gravitational weight to feed most reliably with this specific loading ramp 35 angle.
- FIG. 19 shows typical dispenser 20 elements that are disposed between the side walls of a dispenser 20 , and define a dispenser 20 back wall 22 , a down chute 30 , lower feed ramp 40 , and a product selection area 25 within the dispenser 20 .
- a down chute 30 contributes significantly to product feed jams as described herein.
- an improved down chute 50 is shown along with a dispenser 20 back wall 22 , lower feed ramp 40 , and product selection area 25 .
- FIG. 31 shows the improved down chute 50 in a dispenser 20 in relation to other dispenser 20 elements such as the loading ramp 35 , far side wall 23 (near side wall not shown for clarity), the back wall 22 , the lower feed ramp 40 , the cartridge holding area 24 , the product selection area 25 , and a cartridge 10 containing two rows of cans (Lower Row 1 and Upper Row 2).
- the improved down cute 50 is formed from three arcuate sections 50 a , 50 b , 50 c , connected by generally arcuate transitions.
- the upper most arcuate section 50 a has a convex curvature toward the front and top of the dispenser 20 .
- the central arcuate section 50 b and lower arcuate section 50 c have concave curvatures away from the top and front of the dispenser 20 .
- the three arcuate sections 50 a , 50 b , 50 c form a down chute 50 that is substantially an “S”-curve in shape, wherein the central arcuate section 50 b of the “S” substantially forms a saddle along with its connections to adjacent arcuate sections 50 a , 50 c.
- the central arcuate section 50 b has a concave radius of curvature, “R”, that is preferably slightly larger than three times the radius, “r”, of one of the cans, for example can 3, in the cartridge 10 to direct movement of the cans 1, 2, 3, 4 as they transit the down chute 50 .
- R concave radius of curvature
- This embodiment is also applicable to dispensers 20 that use a hopper volume 79 , FIG. 20A , for bulk storage of cans rather than a pre-filled cartridge 10 , where the hopper volume 79 is at least the loading ramp 35 , dispenser 20 sides 23 and back 22 .
- additional tolerances “d” can be added to allow for the thickness “d” of any cartridge material 13 (a cartridge 10 opening flap, for example) that may be moved into contact with the “S”-curved down ramp, as well as the thickness of cartridge material along the cartridge bottom 14 , and back wall 12 .
- the down chute 50 central arcuate section 50 b forms a surface with a radius of curvature preferably slightly larger than “R” (where R is approximately three times the radius “r” of a single can), with that radius having an origin preferably located a distance “r” perpendicular to, and above, the loading ramp 35 , and a distance of “R” perpendicular to, and forward from, the dispenser back wall 22 .
- R is approximately three times the radius “r” of a single can
- the radius of curvature “R” of the central arcuate section 50 b is increased by at least “d”, where “d” is the cartridge material thickness accounting for cartridge material, such as a cartridge opening flap 13 , extending downward onto the down chute 50 , for example.
- the arc length of the central arcuate section 50 b will vary with can size (diameter) and mass.
- the arc length is preferably dimensioned so that as can 1 and can 2 transit the exit port 45 , can 3 is held stationary long enough for can 4 to pass by it and transit the exit port 45 ahead of can 3.
- the dimensioning of the arc length at the lower end of the central arcuate section 50 b is such that the central arcuate section 50 b is preferably maintained, at its extreme forward point, a distance from the rear most and lowest extent of the loading ramp 35 that is greater than one can diameter (>2r). Distances smaller than this value would block can movement through the down chute 50 .
- central arcuate section 50 b preferably does not become substantially horizontal at its lower extent, as such a condition may result in cans losing momentum while transiting through the down chute 50 and thereby coming to rest on the central arcuate section 50 b causing a jam.
- the central arcuate section 50 b is preferably below the exit port 45 far enough to allow a can 1, 2, 4 passing through the exit port 45 enough room to gather momentum as it moves out of the cartridge 10 so that the can 1, 2, 4 is moved forwardly when it contacts the upper arcuate section 50 a .
- This forward movement begins rolling contact with can 3 and enables the can 1, 2, 4 to continue to block rearward movement of can 3 as it transits the exit port 45 , just as it would when the can 1, 2, 4 was previously disposed between can 3 and the rear 12 and 22 of the cartridge 10 and dispenser 20 , respectively.
- the radius of curvature of the lower arcuate section 50 c is preferably greater than one can radius.
- the radius of curvature of the upper arcuate section 50 a will depend on the dimensioning of the central arcuate section 50 b , and generally describe an arc from the rear most portion of the exit port 45 (lower end of the dispenser back wall 22 ) to the upper most aspect of the central arcuate section 50 b .
- the transitions between each of the arcuate sections 50 a , 50 b , and 50 c are arcuate to facilitate smooth can movement along the down chute 50 , although the precise shape of these transitions is not critical to the function of the down chute 50 , provided they do not impede can 1, 2, 3, 4 movement along the down chute 50 .
- the radius of curvature and position of the central arcuate section 50 b constrains the movement of can 1 such that its circumference remains in rolling contact (see small arrows in FIG. 25 ) with the circumference of can 3 on the one side, and the down chute 50 central arcuate section 50 b on the other side as it moves through the exit port 45 and along the down chute 50 .
- the upper arcuate section 50 a and central arcuate section control the movement of can 2 so that rolling contact between can 2 and can 3 is maintained at all times as can 2 transits through the exit port 45 and can 3 cannot move toward the exit port 45 .
- can 4 moves into a position to restrict movement of can 3 and the other cans in the lower row (Row 1) of the cartridge 10 .
- the upper arcuate section 50 a and central arcuate section control the movement of can 4 so that rolling contact between can 4 and can 3 is maintained at all times as can 4 transits through the exit port 45 and can 3 cannot move toward the exit port 45 .
- can 4 moves through the down chute 50 , allowing the weight of cans in the upper row (Row 2) and lower row (Row 1) of the cartridge 10 to move can 3 to the exit port 45 and downwardly into the down chute 50 .
- the remaining cans in the cartridge 10 are free to move, as all the jam related cans have been dispensed through the exit port 45 and along the substantially “S”-shaped down chute 50 .
- the loading ramp 35 angle of approximately four degrees is preferably increased to a loading ramp 35 angle of between approximately five and seven degrees for very small lightweight rolling products such as cat food tins, tuna fish cans, potted meat products, and the like.
- the down chute 50 only includes an upper arcuate section 50 a and a lower arcuate section 50 c .
- a central arcuate section 50 b may be unnecessary in some cases.
- cans 1, 2, 4 exit the cartridge 10 and are guided forward by the down chute 50 upper arcuate section 50 a as they transit the exit port 45 , and held in rolling contact with can 3 in the cartridge 10 , sufficiently to inhibit the motion can 3 and the cans in row behind it, so that cans 1, 2, 3, 4 all exit the cartridge 10 in the one, two, four, three order that prevents jamming.
- FIG. 32 shows a dispenser 20 having a down chute 50 having an upper arcuate section 50 a and a lower arcuate section 50 C when a full cartridge 10 is first inserted.
- the upper arcuate section 50 a guides can 1 as it moves through the exit port 45 .
- FIG. 33 as can 1 enters and begins to transit the exit port 45 , it is guided forward by the upper arcuate section 50 a .
- Can 1 is thus held in rolling contact (see small arrow) with can 3 in the dispenser 20 .
- Can 3 is thus inhibited from moving toward the down chute 50 , and can 2 moves vertically downward behind can 1 toward the exit port 45 .
- can 2 begins to transit the exit port 45 and is also held in rolling contact (see small arrow) with can 3.
- Can 3 is again inhibited from moving toward the down chute 50 , and can 4 is free to roll over can 3 (arrow in FIG. 33 ) and follow can 2 toward be toward the exit port 45 .
- can 4 begins to transit the exit port 45 and is also held in rolling contact (see small arrow) with can 3.
- Can 3 is again inhibited from moving toward the down chute 50 until can 4 has moved past the down chute upper arcuate section 50 a.
- dispensers will appreciate that while the word “cans” has been used interchangeably with “rolling products” or “packages”, the improved down chute 50 described herein will work equally well with any products capable of rolling from cartridges 10 and through dispensers 20 .
- the improved down chute 50 has been discussed herein primarily with relation to dispensers 20 that accept pre-filled cartridges 10 , as shown in FIG. 20B , the down chute 50 can also be implemented in dispensers that have bulk loading hoppers that are manually loaded and do not rely on cartridges, as reflected in FIG. 20A .
- dispensers 20 that do not use pre-loaded cartridges 10 cans align themselves in the bulk loading hopper in such a manner that jams described in FIGS. 5-18 also occur.
- the down chute 50 can be equally applied to such dispensers 20 .
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Abstract
Description
Claims (15)
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/472,340 US10861277B2 (en) | 2013-08-29 | 2014-08-28 | Product dispenser with an s-shaped down chute |
EP14781971.8A EP3038497B1 (en) | 2013-08-29 | 2014-08-29 | Dispenser cartridge for a dispenser of rolling products |
PCT/US2014/053417 WO2015031760A1 (en) | 2013-08-29 | 2014-08-29 | Dispenser for rolling product and dispenser cartridges |
EP14766305.8A EP3038498B1 (en) | 2013-08-29 | 2014-08-29 | Product dispenser with an s-shaped down chute |
PCT/US2014/053372 WO2015031734A1 (en) | 2013-08-29 | 2014-08-29 | Product dispenser with an s-shaped down chute |
EP17210656.9A EP3326495A1 (en) | 2013-08-29 | 2014-08-29 | Dispenser cartridge for a dispenser of rolling products |
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US14/472,340 Active US10861277B2 (en) | 2013-08-29 | 2014-08-28 | Product dispenser with an s-shaped down chute |
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CN105743851B (en) * | 2014-12-09 | 2019-06-21 | 阿里巴巴集团控股有限公司 | Method for processing business, device and service server |
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Also Published As
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US9659426B2 (en) | 2017-05-23 |
EP3038499B1 (en) | 2017-10-11 |
WO2015031769A1 (en) | 2015-03-05 |
US20150001243A1 (en) | 2015-01-01 |
EP3038498B1 (en) | 2017-10-25 |
EP3038498A1 (en) | 2016-07-06 |
EP3326495A1 (en) | 2018-05-30 |
US9361747B2 (en) | 2016-06-07 |
US20150001244A1 (en) | 2015-01-01 |
EP3038497B1 (en) | 2018-03-14 |
EP3038497A1 (en) | 2016-07-06 |
WO2015031760A1 (en) | 2015-03-05 |
US20150001237A1 (en) | 2015-01-01 |
EP3038499A1 (en) | 2016-07-06 |
WO2015031734A1 (en) | 2015-03-05 |
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